Items of interest this week include a seminar on “Ending of Life Planning”, the pending water surcharge by Olympic Water and Sewer, emergency preparedness for the impending earthquake, fear of greater gun control, and of course, “Climate Change”. We are not going to talk about those things because there are others in the community far more knowledgeable or courageous than I who already talk about them. Instead, let’s talk about March Madness and my wedding anniversary and Saint Patrick’s Day!

Yep, Gonzaga and the Atlantic Coast Conference, (Duke, North Carolina and Virginia) are the top seeds for the annual NCAA Basketball Tournament. Larry Howland reminded me that I have a natural bias for Duke since our son and son-in-law went there. If you think there were bribes, don’t worry, we had no money left after tuition, room and board. In any case, this is a great time of year if you enjoy college basketball, even with all of its warts. Heck, the University of Washington made the field of 68 teams for the first time since 2011. They are competing for the championship so the local UW and Gonzaga alumni should be interested.

A year ago BJ and I celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary with a party that drew friends and family locally and from around the country. We had great fun for this monumental event in our lives. This year, for our fifty first anniversary we took a car for service to Bellingham, had dinner, spent the night and came home while our daughter and her family went to Maui for a week. What is the deal? Does anybody really think that fifty one years is easier than fifty? Let’s have a party!

Saint Patrick’s Day weekend held much partying. There was the Beach Club monthly potluck, which was CATERED! The corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots were very tasty topped with a piece of cake with green frosting. Moderator Steve Gross found a quality source, (finally), for his jokes. Nancy Bonderson played the piano for an Irish sing-a-long. There were even some new faces as part of the sold out event. Then on Sunday we went to Seattle for more corned beef, potatoes, etc with the family. It was a gorgeous day for a drive and even the ninety-minute wait for the Edmonds ferry was pleasant given the spectacular weather that day. Pan d’Amore bakery in Port Townsend prepares an incredibly good soda bread around Saint Patrick’s Day so on Monday after the weekend I went by and picked up a couple loaves and took advantage of the reduced price after the holiday! Then I went again on Thursday and they cut the price even more. There is that old law of supply and demand. If you have a big supply, cut the price.

Long time readers of this column would remember that until I came along nine years ago, it was titled “The Ludlow Beat”. The column was written by former Port Ludlow resident Phil Jaffe who recently passed away. He took his background in journalism and recognized writing skills to California leaving behind his friends in Port Ludlow and the East Jefferson Rotary Club.

More activities, more outdoors work, more house responsibilities, yes, spring is here.

Don’t forget what Emily Dickinson tells us, “A little madness in the spring is wholesome even for the King.”

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week!